Monday Syndrome

FADE IN.

INT. SLEEPING ROOM - NIGHT-DAY

PETER wakes up, as KAJI, his pet, watches.

PETER (V.O.) Oh, that was a nightmare.

Well, at least I've dreamt.

I don't expect anything

to happen as it takes time

for me to overcome my

jet-lag.

Peter grabs his phone.

PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd)

As my mind is pretty clear,

let me complete a draft

answer regarding the

success factors of Hong

Kong's banking industry.

Alarm rings. Peter's WIFE struggles to wake up as the MAID comes in.

MAID

Sir, breakfast is ready.

Peter and Kaji get out of bed together.

INT. SITTING ROOM - DAY

Phone in one hand, Peter types.

PETER (V.O.)

(Nodding)

I conclude that Hong

Kong's success has

been mainly due to its

China connection.

Phone rings and Peter takes the call.

FLASHBACK

INT. BAGGAGE SERVICES, AIRPORT. NIGHT.

After pointing to STAFF at a damaged baggage lock, Peter fills a form.

STAFF

Our colleague will call

you in the next few days

about repair arrangement.

Peter nods.

END FLASHBACK

PETER

(To phone)

Yes... let me check my

diary...OK Jan 2 is fine.

Thank you.

Peter ends the phone conversation.

PETER (V.O.)

(Shrugging his shoulders)

It's been awhile since

my last torture claim

case. I thought the call

was about baggage

repair.

As he checks his mails, Peter looks astonished.

PETER (V.O.)

Here's an authorship

invitation that has gone

to my junk mail box!

The crypto-asset stuff

is what I want to write

about. They've identified

and recognized me.

After replying, Peter checks the phone time.

PETER (V.O.)

Its already after noon.

I mustn't delay my

swimming further.

INT. CLUB HOUSE - DAY

Grabbing a newspaper from a stand, Peter begins to read.

PETER (V.O.)

Here's a story about

China's policy on Crypto.

I can't afford to miss

it.

A phone notification. Peter studies the photos and messages.

PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd)

A government letter sent

to our late Dad? What to

do next?

Peter replies by using his phone voice mail.

EXT. SWIMMING POOL - DAY

Just three other SWIMMERS in a big pool. After several lengths of free strokes, Peter changes to breast strokes.

PETER (V.O.)

I've yet to cook up a

title and prepare the

ppts for a keynote

speech in Beijing.

Separately, someone

is waiting my opinion

on conflicts of law.

Peter turns over to do backstrokes.

.

PETER (V.O.)

Because of the jet-lag

I mean to begin working

on Tuesday.

Peter does a few butterfly strokes before getting off the pool.

PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)

Nearly an hour swimming.

Apart from Kayaking, I

didn't do exercise while I

was in Canada. I felt tired

due to the jet-lag.

INT. RESTAURANT - DAY

Peter orders at the counter.

PETER

Fried rice with XO sauce

and a cup of Ovaltine.

CASHIER

$35.

FLASHBACK

INT. VICTORIA - NIGHT

Cosy room. Peter lies at the bed back with his smart phone in hand,

PETER (V.O.)

Couldn't sleep. Here's

a simple answer request

from Quora: What is the

average price of a cup

of coffee in Hong Kong?

But I want an insert to

add value to my answer.

END FLASHBACK

PETER (V.O.)

In a tea set, the tea/

coffee or similar is

included. If I only order

coffee, I just want to

engage others during

coffee and I'd pay the

standard $35+ just for

it. I've never had a

coffee at the notional

average price.

Pausing.

PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)

Is the question really

simple or am I insisting

to make my answer

complicated?

INT. STUDY - DAY

Phone rings. Peter checks the caller number.

PETER (V.O.)

Not someone I know

of.

Peter answers the phone.

PETER

(To phone)

Okay, Nov 5.

Checking his phone mail, Peter sees something interesting.

PETER (V.O.)

Oh, that Japanese

hotel chain has also

responded to my

query.

Peter looks out of a window.

PETER (Cont'd)

When I was with the

Government, I used

to hold meetings on

Mondays to avoid the

Monday syndrome and

to achieve more during

the week.

Peter looks out of the window.

PETER (V.O.)

But this Monday, I'm

passively busy and

those engaging me

help cure my Monday

Syndrome!

FADE OUT. THE END

#MondaySyndrome